Pancreas Transplant Cost

How Much Does a Pancreas Transplant Cost?

In a pancreas transplant, a healthy pancreas is transferred to a patient whose own pancreas does not function properly, usually as the result of type 1 diabetes. Though the organ most often comes from a deceased donor, a partial donation may come from a live donor, or in some instances, insulin-producing cells[1] of the pancreas may be transplanted instead.

Typical costs:

A pancreas transplant typically is covered by health insurance, although insurers may require a patient to get the transplant at a specific transplant center. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for a pancreas transplant typically consist of doctor visit, lab and prescription drug copays as well as coinsurance of 10%-50% for surgery and other procedures, which can easily reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.

For those without health care, the total cost of a pancreas transplant can range widely depending on the hospital, but typically falls between $125,000 and nearly $300,000 or more.

The National Kidney Foundation[2] estimates that a pancreas transplant will cost $125,800, including the cost of the evaluation, procedures to obtain the donated organ, hospital charges, physician fees, follow-up care and immunosuppressants.

The United Network for Organ Sharing[3] , a nonprofit organization that maintains the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network[4] , puts the average total cost of a pancreas transplant at $289,400, including procurement, hospital admission, doctor's fees, and immunosuppressants.

Meanwhile, a report[5] from the actuarial and consulting firm Milliman found that the average cost in 2008 for pancreas transplants was $275,000, which included $17,000 for a month's worth of care leading up to the transplant; $65,000 for the procurement of the organ; $108,900 for hospital transplant admission; $17,800 for the surgeon; and $19,900 for immunosuppressants and other prescription drugs.

The process starts when a patient is referred to a transplant center by his or her doctor and added to a national waiting list. According to the National Kidney Foundation[6] , the average wait for a pancreas from a deceased donor is 300-400 days.

● Besides having a medical history taken and undergoing a physical examination, a patient may also undergo diagnostic tests, including blood tests and urine tests, among other exams, prior to surgery.

The surgery typically take between four and six hours, and patients will typically be in the hospital for 10-14 days.

Patients will need to take Immunosuppression medications such as neoral[7] or sirolimus (Rapamune)[8] following surgery.

Additional costs:

Patients will have to undergo regularly scheduled tests to monitor the transplanted pancreas.

The United Network for Organ Sharing lists non-medical costs[9] associated with a transplant, such as transportation to and from the transplant center, and food and lodging for family members.

Discounts:

Most transplant centers have a financial counselor who will help the patient find ways to pay for the procedure.

Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[10] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. The hospital also offers an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of the patient receiving the bill.

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I had a pancreas transplant in 2012, it has been 5 years this month. I started my whole process in October 2011. I was told it would be 12 to 18 months for a donor. In 6 months I received the call and had the surgery. It has gone well so far so I hope it continues to last.

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